Seismic Behaviour of Different Bracing Systems in High Rise 2-D Steel Buildings

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the seismic behaviour of different bracing systems in high rise 2-D steel buildings. Nonlinear static pushover analyses were carried out to assess the structural performance on different bracing systems in high rise steel buildings of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 storeys. Five structural configurations were used: moment resisting frames (MRFs), chevron braced frames (CBFs), V-braced frames (VBFs), X-braced frames (XBFs) and zipper braced frames (ZBFs). The effects of some parameters influencing the seismic performance, including type of the bracing system, the height of the building and lateral load patterns, were investigated. The results show that the different braced frames performed well in terms of storey displacement, inter-storey drift ratio, base shear and performance point when compared with the moment resisting frame in high rise steel buildings. It can be concluded, on a comparative account of the obtained results, that use of CBF, VBF and ZBF enhances structural performances.